00:00A significant change to the legal age for accessing alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and gambling is being proposed by the government.
00:09On Wednesday, the UNC administration is expected to bring legislation to amend seven pieces of law, including the Dangerous Drugs
00:18Act, Tobacco Control Act, Liquor Licenses Act, Children's Act, Gambling, Gaming and Betting Control Act and the Cannabis Control Act.
00:28Prime Minister Kamala Pesad-Besasa wrote to X, saying the government's intention is to strengthen protection for young people.
00:36She wrote, quote, I am resolute in my duty to protect and safeguard the young people of Trinidad and Tobago,
00:43the future custodians of our beloved nation, from the pernicious consequences that result from the use and abuse of alcohol,
00:52tobacco, cannabis and other dangerous drugs, end quote.
00:55Under the proposed changes, the minimum legal age for the sale, purchase, possession or consumption of alcohol and tobacco would
01:04increase from 18 to 21.
01:07For cannabis, the government is proposing an increase from 18 to 25.
01:12And the minimum permissible age for gambling would also move to 25.
01:16The Prime Minister says the measures are in response to what she describes as the harmful effects of early exposure
01:24to these substances and activities.
01:26She says, quote, it is well documented that the indiscriminate use of these substances, particularly at an early age, can
01:34have grave and far-reaching effects, not only on the individual, but also on their families and the wider society,
01:42end quote.
01:42Passant-Bissassa is also highlighting gambling, saying, quote, there is also a pressing and undeniable need to shield our young
01:50people from the perils inherent in gambling, which threatens not only their financial security, but also their moral and social
01:59well-being, end quote.
02:00Passant-Bissassa says the proposed changes are not by chance, writing, quote, these measures are not arbitrary.
02:08They are deliberate and rooted in our unwavering commitment to health, safety and moral well-being of the young people
02:16of our nation, end quote.
02:18The proposed changes come as the government continues to reform the country's cannabis regulatory framework.
02:23During parliamentary debate earlier this year, the Prime Minister said government was examining amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act,
02:30including issues surrounding cultivation, use in public spaces, and regulatory changes following the decriminalization of cannabis in 2019.
02:40The government has also previously indicated that it was exploring a framework for medicinal cannabis and a licensing authority.
02:48Today, she said, quote, it is incumbent upon me as your Prime Minister to bring measures that will safeguard the
02:54health, welfare and future of our young people
02:57and to enact provisions that will decisively curtail the scourge of substance abuse and the hazards of gambling among them,
03:06end quote.
03:06The proposed legislation will have to go through the parliamentary process before the new age limits become low.
03:12And the Prime Minister says the ultimate objective is to give the next generation greater protection from early exposure to
03:18substances and risky behaviors.
03:21She says, quote, by acting decisively, my government seeks to ensure that the next generation is afforded every opportunity to
03:28grow, learn, succeed
03:29without being harmed by early exposure to dangerous substances or risky behaviors, end quote.
03:37Urvishit Wari, Rupnarein, TV6 News.
03:40Urvishit Wari, Rupnarein, TV6 News.
